A Grumpy Christmas

of molasses and ginger filled the air. Hints of brown sugar and cinnamon faded as the aroma from the gingersnaps overpowered the snickerdoodles. The aroma of chocolate filled the air when I opened the oven door, removing the tray of chocolate shortbread cookies. I was in my element as one cookie after another was baked, my counters lined with sweet treats. Some cooled, ready to box up, others were still warm on their cooling racks. The tray of chocolate shortbread filled an empty slot as I placed another tray in the oven and set the timer. Happy with the results of my first day in baking mode, I filled a plastic container with a sampling of the cookies I’d mad that day. It was still a week before Christmas, but I wanted to share the cookies with Pierce.
I hadn’t seen Pierce since the day I’d taken a header off the ladder. Remembering his kiss which had rocked my world, the smile which played on my lips was becoming a constant companion. I couldn’t help myself. Yeah, the alpha had high-tailed it out of there. Most omegas would probably take that as a sign the man hadn’t wanted anything to do with him. Not me. I’d seen the hesitation in his eyes, that brief flash as he’d bent his lips to mine. The man was wary. I didn’t know why, but I knew he wanted me. I’d be a fool to give up the chance to get to know that alpha better. He made me feel things inside me I’d never experienced with just a look.
He was what my grandma had always called broody, a pain-filled soul. I wanted to take the hurt away and show him he was still worthy of love. For now, I’d settle for bribing him with cookies. The way to a man’s heart and all that. I’d settle for it being the key to this one alpha’s world. I hoped it was enough for the man to let me in.
Knocking on the door, the sound of a bluesy female voice drifted through the open window. She sounded familiar, the raspy tones reminiscent of New Orleans and the time I got drunk off my ass in the French Quarter my sophomore year. The man had good taste in music. I very much approved. When my knock went unanswered, I tried again, the door falling open as my knuckles rapped on it once more.
Hesitantly, I pushed it open, popping my head around the door as I looked for Pierce. Even though I knew I shouldn’t, I walked in. The unmistakable beat of a jump rope hitting the floor hit my ears, causing me to turn in that direction. As I walked through the house, the music changed, the beat faster as a male voice filled the air.
I found Pierce in a backroom which had been turned into a small home gym. He mesmerized me as I watched him jump rope on one leg better than I could on two, sweat dripping off his very naked muscular chest. He must have jumped the rope a hundred times before he stopped and sank onto the bench, picking up a towel to mop up the sweat. I wanted nothing more than to walk over and rub my hands all over his glistening skin. I wanted his scent all over me in ways I’d never wanted from any other alpha before.
“Are you just going to stand there and stare or say hello?”

Chapter Nine
Pierce
I’d known he was in my space from the moment he stepped into the room. It was like my whole world centered around this omega. Some instinct deep inside me I’d only ever felt with Grant had taken over, making me super sensitive to the omega standing at the door watching me like I was his whole world. God help me, I wanted him to be my world. I’d forgotten what it was like to have an omega look at me like I was someone important, someone to care for and cherish.
“I, uh…” Max trailed off, unsure of himself. He held out a plastic container. “Uh, cookies. I brought you cookies.” The stutter was cute. Adorable even, making me smile. “I’ll just put it in the kitchen and be out of your way.”
He turned to go. I should let him leave, but the idea of him walking away unsettled me.
“Wait.” The omega hesitated in the doorway, looking over his shoulder at me with a wary, uncertain look. “I like cookies. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any homemade. It’d be unneighborly if I didn’t offer to make us some coffee or something so I can sample them.”
Moving to my chair, I wheeled past Max and led the way to the kitchen. It didn’t take long before we were settled at the kitchen table, a plate filled with a selection of cookies from Max’s container and mugs of steaming hot cocoa when he revealed he hated coffee. Since I wasn’t much of a coffee drinker either, hot cocoa suited me fine.
A few of the cookies weren’t familiar to me. Neither Grant nor I had ever been much of a baker. Craig had a few store-bought cookies he favored. If we wanted a special treat, we went to the bakery in downtown Sugar Beach. The omega who ran the place was a genius when it came to desserts.
Sinking my teeth into the crispy cookies dusted in a cinnamon sugar coating, I couldn’t help the moan which escaped me at the first taste. The baker in town could possibly have a run for his money if Max ever decided to open up shop. After that first crunch, the cookie melted away, leaving a sweet spicy taste in my mouth that only wanted more.
“It’s a crispy Snickerdoodle. I found the recipe on the internet. The classic snickerdoodle is chewy, but I like these better.” Max blushed adorably as he let his words trail off.
“They’re good. I don’t